After 75 years of church music, Jean Stone is closing her keyboard

When Jean Stone first stepped up to the church piano as a 6-year-old girl, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in his second term, the Golden Gate Bridge had just opened, and gas was 10 cents a gallon.

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By Special to The Oak Ridger

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Special to The Oak Ridger

Posted Jan. 26, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Updated Jan 26, 2013 at 3:34 PM

By Special to The Oak Ridger
Posted Jan. 26, 2013 at 2:52 PM
Updated Jan 26, 2013 at 3:34 PM

OAK RIDGE

When Jean Stone first stepped up to the church piano as a 6-year-old girl, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was in his second term, the Golden Gate Bridge had just opened, and gas was 10 cents a gallon.

On Sunday, Jean will close the keyboard for the last time as a pianist and organist after over 75 years of service to churches across Tennessee.

Jean started her career as a church accompanist at Liberty Methodist Church in Gallatin, Tenn. She was 6 and so small that her feet came nowhere close to reaching the piano pedals. But she could pound out a good version of “Jesus Loves Me” — as long as it was in the easy key of C.

“It was the only song I knew for several months,” said Jean, laughing. “My aunt had me play it every week until I learned something new, and the congregation convinced me they thought it was just wonderful.”

At age 14, Jean moved up to tackle the old Kilgen Pipe Organ at the First Methodist Church in Gallatin. The ancient organ was built in the mid-1800s and was difficult even for an adult to play. When Jean used the couplers, the notes became very hard to compress requiring tremendous arm and finger strength — especially from such a young girl. She played that organ as needed all though her high school years and college.

When she wasn’t in school, playing for church, or accompanying soloists, Jean was studying piano and theory twice a week at the Ward Belmont Conservatory of Music in Nashville (now Belmont College). She continued to study there until she went to college, majoring in music, at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky.

After graduation and marriage, Jean moved to Oak Ridge in 1956. Her first job was as choir director and organist at Trinity Methodist Church. During her tenure, her church musicianship grew and so did her family. Jean learned if she played louder or faster, all four of her children would snap their heads up to look at her as she sat at the organ.

“Sometimes my children fidgeted in church and I needed to get their attention so I could give them ‘the Look,’” Jean explained.

Jean worked full time as a music teacher in Anderson County schools until her retirement, and was a partner in the Back Door Pizza in Oak Ridge and in the jazz band of the same name. She has honed her crowd-pleasing talent over the years, and enjoys adding a little swing to old classic hymns. Jean played at Trinity Methodist during the 1950s, the 1960s and the 1990s. She also served First Christian Church Oak Ridge as organist for 11 years and First Baptist Church of Lake City for six years.

Page 2 of 2 - This weekend she will finish her career as a church musician at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge where she has been employed for nine years.

“I am so grateful that church music has filled a large part of my life,” Jean said. “Closing the keyboard will be difficult although I truly believe it is time.” Asked what she intends to play at this last service before retirement, Jean said, “I just might play “Jesus Loves Me” one more time for old time’s sake.

The Sunday worship service at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church begins at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary. There will be a reception honoring Jean immediately following worship in Founder’s Hall. The public is invited to attend both the service and reception.

First Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at 127 Lafayette Drive, Oak Ridge.

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Email your church news and photos to News Editor Donna Smith at donna.smith@oakridger.com no later than noon Tuesdays for Fridays’ editions.